Did you know that, according to the recent diary by Kossack Bernie Horn, rightwingers have been calling their Senators about Obama's Economic Recovery Plan - otherwise known as The Stimulus - at a rate 100 times that of liberal callers? I know Obama wants a more conciliatory tone, but - let's face it - it's time to send a very loud message to Congress that the Republicans lost the election! They don't get to set the agenda now, and continue to wreck the country as they've done for the past 8 years.
Many diaries and articles in the msm have been written on the merits of the plan, but none make the case as clearly as the President himself did in his WaPo editorial today. There's an excerpt after the fold...
Here's just a taste of what President Obama said in his editorial:
In recent days, there have been misguided criticisms of this plan that echo the failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis -- the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems; that we can meet our enormous tests with half-steps and piecemeal measures; that we can ignore fundamental challenges such as energy independence and the high cost of health care and still expect our economy and our country to thrive.
I reject these theories, and so did the American people when they went to the polls in November and voted resoundingly for change. They know that we have tried it those ways for too long. And because we have, our health-care costs still rise faster than inflation. Our dependence on foreign oil still threatens our economy and our security. Our children still study in schools that put them at a disadvantage. We've seen the tragic consequences when our bridges crumble and our levees fail.
Get the picure? So here is a collection of sites that are organizing phone calling/letter writing/email sending campaigns for contacting Senators in support of Obama's Economic Recovery Plan. The list is by no means exhaustive. If you have additional sources, please mention them in a comment. There's not a moment to waste. Obama has said he expects the Senate vote to happen by the end of the week.
First, here are the numbers to make a direct phone call to your Senator's office:
202-224-3121 or
866-544-7573
Just tell the operator who answers your call the name of the Senator to whom you wish to speak. You'll actually wind up speaking to a staffer; just tell them briefly that you support Obama's Economic Recovery Plan and request that they support with their vote. You can explain why you support it if you wish, but it really isn't even necessary. (Note: If you don't know the names of your Senators, try the Congress.org website, linked below.)
Healthcare for America has issued a dire warning about what's going on in the Senate right now:
Today, the Senate continues to debate President Obama’s economic recovery plan. Amendments to the plan will be offered over the next few days, and we can expect predictable things from conservatives in Congress.
For the most part, conservatives will be working to strip out the most progressive and economically important aspects of the bill - money that goes to states for a variety of programs (including important health care programs) and money that goes directly into the hands of low income or out of work people, people who need it most and who are most likely to spend it in ways that will stimulate the economy. Conservatives will be also pushing for increased tax cuts for business and the rich, including tax cuts that benefit multi-national companies with large foreign holdings. And as if they weren’t trying to do enough to ruin our economy, conservatives reportedly will also offer amendments to reduce or eliminate Pell Grants, which help Americans pay for higher education.
And on the health care front, this bill contains billions in investments for health IT, Medicare and Medicaid, and COBRA, all of which will make it easier to pass health care reform for everyone later this year and all of which are in danger of being stripped if conservatives have their way.
Healthcare for America has an online form; enter your phone number and they'll call you back and connect you with your representative's office.
Rock the Vote has a secure site through which you can send an email to your representatives. You can either use their canned message or write your own. Here's their message:
Subject:
Vote for a strong economic recovery package
Dear [Decision Maker],
As a young American, I was happy to see Congress take action immediately on our economic crisis.
With unemployment already in double digits for young Americans, college costs out of control, and health care out of reach of millions, we need action to tackle our economic troubles immediately.
On January 28th, the House passed a strong economic recovery bill; when you vote in the Senate, I urge you to vote for a similarly strong bill.
In particular, please support a bill that includes strong provisions to create and save American jobs, invests in higher education programs like Pell Grants and Stafford Loans, directs investment in clean energy and green jobs, and helps recently jobless workers pay for health insurance.
Young Americans voted in record numbers in 2008 because we wanted action on the economy, health care, education, and energy. This bill is a strong step forward in tackling both our urgent economic crisis and longer-term issues.
Please support a Senate bill with these and other components important to young Americans, our friends, and our family.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Or, go to Congress.org and send your own message. When you click on the link and go to the Congress.org home page, just type in your zip code in the box at the upper right and you'll be taken to a "Write Your Elected Officials" page. Then click on the "Federal" link and you'll be taken to a form through which you can compose a personally written message to all of your Federal representatives, or any particular ones that you choose. You can also choose to send the message by email or have your letter hand delivered.
Perhaps the quickest way to make your views known, MoveOn has an online petition that you can sign. The message couldn't be simpler:
"Congress should quickly pass Obama's plan to invest in clean energy, green jobs, health care, and relief for struggling states. No more tax cuts for the rich."
That's it - pretty much sums it up, doesn't it? Occam would be proud. The petition also has a box where you can add your own message if you wish, and a series of checkboxes where you can indicate the way in which the economic downturn is affecting you personally:
Let us know if Obama's economic plan would impact you directly:
I'm facing foreclosure.
I was laid off from my job.
I'm a small business owner.
I have a "green-collar" job.
I work in health care.
MoveOn also is requesting donations to help air a tv ad aimed at on-the-fence Republican Senators. And they're also asking people to "Make a pledge now to help run ads after the vote letting the public know how key senators voted." You can find out more about that effort here.
OK, we all worked hard to get Obama elected; now he needs our help again to stop the Republicans from gutting the economic recovery plan, before it's even out of the gate.
You know what to do...